Chris StearnsChris Stearns

Chris Stearns is an attorney, state legislator, and longtime advocate for Tribal Nations and underserved communities. A descendant of the Navajo Nation, Stearns serves as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Washington House of Representatives and has spent more than 30 years advancing Tribal sovereignty, healthcare access, economic opportunity, and public policy at the local, state, and federal levels. Before joining the legislature, Stearns represented Tribal governments and Native organizations as an attorney and served as the first Director of Native American Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy. He has also served as Chair of the Washington State Gambling Commission, Auburn City Councilmember, and Vice-Chair of the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators. Stearns is running for re-election to continue strengthening Tribal-state partnerships, expanding access to healthcare, supporting economic opportunity, and building a more responsive government for all Washingtonians.

Chris Stearns is running for re-election to Position 2 in the 47th Legislative District to lead efforts to protect the environment, expand economic opportunity, and protect the civil rights of all who live in the district. He also serves as the first Native American elected to the Auburn City Council and has a comprehensive record of leadership, including serving as a previous chair of the Seattle Human Rights Commission, Democratic counsel for the Committee of Natural Resources in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first director of Indian Affairs for the U.S. Department of Energy. Stearns ran on the promise that he would support civil rights for all, especially those furthest from full representation in the state. To that end, Stearns sponsored and led on the Native American Apprenticeship bill, which will allow members of federally recognized tribes to receive financial assistance for state-registered apprenticeship programs and college. He also aimed to fund tribal opioid prevention programs and ensure that members of federally recognized tribes can now be part of the Emergency Worker Program. Stearns continues to be a reliable voice in the Legislature, voting in favor of several progressive priorities. More recently, Stearns voted for AI regulations, prohibiting the sale and manufacture of ghost guns, and increasing transit-oriented housing development. Chris Stearns gives a voice to the underrepresented and consistently votes for progressive policies. He has earned your vote to serve another term representing the 47th Legislative District.